NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Redskins, Eagles
Let’s check in on the NFC East, where we have Wednesday morning updates on three of the division’s four teams….
- The Rams are said to be considering the possibility of trading the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, but don’t count the Cowboys among the interested teams, says Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. According to Watkins, while the Cowboys would be open to moving up for the right player, jumping from 16th to second overall is probably too big a leap.
- Former Ravens fourth-round pick Christian Thompson will work out for the Redskins today, reports Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. The 23-year-old safety, who was suspended for the first four games of 2013 for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, didn’t see any regular-season action last season and was released by Baltimore in October.
- Given how many snaps DeMeco Ryans played last season for the Eagles, the team may look to reduce his workload a little in 2014 by drafting an inside linebacker who excels in pass coverage, suggests Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com.
- Rich Hofmann of the Philadelphia Daily News examines three issues facing the Eagles‘ offense now that DeSean Jackson is no longer in the mix.
The Fifth-Year Option
Over the next several weeks, we’ll be passing along a number of reports relating to the fifth-year option, which a team can exercise on a first-round pick who is currently in the fourth year of his rookie contract. Because this feature was introduced in the 2011 CBA, 2011’s draftees represent the first group of players whose teams will hold these fifth-year options, which apply to the 2015 season. In the last few weeks, for instance, we’ve heard that the Cardinals will exercise their option on Patrick Peterson, while the Lions won’t pick up their option on Nick Fairley.
So what exactly is the fifth-year option? Essentially, it’s a way to extend a player’s rookie contract by an extra year, at the club’s discretion. Players don’t have any say in whether or not these options are picked up, though players and teams are still free to negotiate longer-term contracts that would render the fifth-year option unnecessary. Otherwise though, the decision is in the hands of the team, and must be made by May 3 in the player’s fourth season. So, barring multiyear extensions, 2011 first-rounders like Cam Newton, A.J. Green, and Von Miller will see their options for 2015 declined or – more likely – exercised within the next three and a half weeks.
For top-10 picks, the amount of each player’s 2015 option has already been determined. The fifth-year salary for a top-10 pick is equal to the transition tender at the player’s position during his fourth season. So, because the transition tag amount for quarterbacks this year was $14.666MM, we already know that Newton’s fifth-year option will be worth that amount.
For first-rounders picked outside the top 10, the calculation is a little more complicated. These players’ fifth-year option also relies on the previous year’s salaries at the player’s position, but it’s determined by the average of the third through 25th top salaries at that position. So we could come up with estimates for the 2015 option salary for players like J.J. Watt, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Mike Pouncey, but they’re not set in stone quite yet.
Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only between May 3 and the start of the following league year. As such, they’re not entirely risk-free, but as long as the player remains healthy, a team could exercise his fifth-year option, then cut him before his option year gets underway without being on the hook for his salary. When the league year begins, the player’s fifth-year salary becomes guaranteed for skill and cap purposes, as well as injury.
Essentially, the fifth-year option gives the teams the option to add a year to a player’s rookie contract, keeping him under team control for an additional season. For some players, this won’t significantly affect their earnings, but for others, like Newton, it figures to delay a larger payday — $14.666MM is a nice one-year salary for a player coming off a rookie deal, but it’s still a bargain for the Panthers compared to what they’d be paying Newton in 2015 if he were eligible for free agency.
Note: This is a PFR Glossary entry. Our glossary posts will explain specific rules relating to free agency, trades, or other aspects of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Redskins Notes: Mesko, Jackson, Latimer
The Redskins signed Blake Clingan to a contract earlier today, giving the team a pair of punters on the roster — Clingan joins Robert Malone, who was signed following the end of the regular season. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), former Patriots punter Zoltan Mesko auditioned for Washington as well, but unless the club plans on a three-way competition in camp, it looks like Mesko’s workout with the Redskins won’t result in a contract.
Let’s round up a few more items out of Washington….
- Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden suggested that when someone like DeSean Jackson becomes available, the team wants to do “whatever it takes” to land that player.
- Asked in the same interview whether the club is done signing free agents, Gruden indicated the Redskins are focused primarily on the draft unless someone else piques their interest in free agency.
- The Redskins are scheduling a pre-draft visit with Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). According to Wilson (via Twitter), Latimer will hold a private workout day later this month, and at least 17 NFL teams have expressed interest in attending.
- Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that Rob Jackson‘s new one-year contract with Washington is a minimum salary benefit deal that includes a $65K signing bonus.
Rams Sign Bobby Cowan
The Rams have officially signed punter Bobby Cowan to a contract, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but it figures to be a minimum salary pact with no guaranteed money.
Cowan, who played his college ball at Idaho, will likely just be brought in as a camp leg. The Rams’ incumbent punter, Johnny Hekker, ranked second out of 41 qualified players at the position in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).
Chargers Cut Byron Jerideau
The Chargers have waived defensive tackle Byron Jerideau, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Jerideau, 24, signed with San Diego last May, but didn’t appear in a regular season game for the team, spending the year on injured reserve. The South Carolina product will become an unrestricted free agent if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
Bears Claim Josh Bellamy On Waivers
The Bears have been awarded wide receiver Josh Bellamy off waivers, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). Bellamy had been cut by the Redskins.
Bellamy, who turns 25 next month, spent five games on Washington’s active roster last season. He didn’t play any offensive snaps, and has yet to record a reception in parts of two NFL seasons, but he played a little on special teams for the club, recording a pair of tackles.
NFC North Notes: Watkins, Lions, Bears, Vikes
The Lions, who already have the NFL’s top receiver in Calvin Johnson, have been frequently linked to the draft’s No. 1 wideout over the last several weeks and months, and today the team finally hosted Clemson’s Sammy Watkins on an official pre-draft visit, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Watkins is expected to be off the board by the time the Lions’ No. 10 pick arrives, so if the club really wants to land him, a trade will probably be required. Today’s visit could go a long way toward the Lions deciding whether or not to pursue such a move.
Here are several more items on the Lions and a couple of their NFC North rivals:
- Birkett adds (via Twitter) that the Lions are also setting up a visit for Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, who has several other meetings on his schedule, as we heard earlier in the afternoon.
- New Detroit backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky is hoping to alleviate the concerns of Lions fans who aren’t happy to see him back on the roster after his last stint with the team included an 0-16 season. “I get the fears maybe with obviously fans and whatnot,” Orlovsky said, according to Birkett. “But the organization knows what they’re doing, and I know I’m a good player, and I certainly hope to just be part of changing some of that past, whether it’s directly or indirectly.”
- Veteran defensive back Aaron Ross had a tryout with the Lions today, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
- The Bears‘ workout with Josh Freeman was reported yesterday, as were the auditions for running backs Nate Eachus, Javon Ringer, and Phillip Tanner but those weren’t the only players to work out for the team. As Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post details, the club also auditioned quarterback Adam Weber and tight end Matthew Mulligan.
- If veteran long snapper Patrick Mannelly doesn’t re-sign with the Bears, he’ll likely retire, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
- The Vikings will meet privately with quarterback Zach Mettenberger following his Pro Day, a source tells Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune (Twitter link). The club was said last week to have real interest in the LSU signal-caller.
- Cassius Vaughn‘s one-year pact with the Lions is a minimum salary benefit contract with no signing bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson.
AFC Notes: Titans, Ravens, Draft Visits
Titans edge defender Kamerion Wimbley agreed earlier this week to restructure his contract, and Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has the breakdown of what Wimbley’s new deal looks like. However, as Fitzgerald details, Wimbley wasn’t the only Titan to rework his contract this week. Tight end Craig Stevens also has a new 2014 cap figure, reducing his overall base salary by $1.7MM in exchange for a $500K guarantee. While Stevens’ 2015 salary remains unchanged, his ’14 cap number is now only about $2.69MM.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Ravens haven’t had an above-average, long-term solution at right tackle for a number of years, and Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun believes the team would be wise to address the position with its first-round pick this year. That’s one of a handful of topics Preston addresses in his Ravens notebook, which also touches on the club’s recent tight end and running back signings.
- The Bills are eyeing a pair of offensive line prospects today, hosting Mississippi State’s Charles Siddoway for a pre-draft visit (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com) and having dinner tonight with Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550 AM).
- Having already met with the Steelers, Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard now has visits lined up with the Jets, Bengals, and Rams, as he said today on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).
- Another cornerback, Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller, also has a handful of visits scheduled with AFC teams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Fuller will meet with the Colts, Bengals, Raiders, Jets, Broncos, and Bears, says Wilson.
- The Chargers will work out Troy quarterback Deon Anthony on April 22, reports Wilson at the National Football Post.
- More from Wilson (via Twitter): The Patriots are working out Boise State’s Geraldo Boldewijn, Matt Paradis, and Charles Leno on Wednesday, while Virginia-Lynchburg cornerback Keith Lewis visited the Raiders and has a private workout lined up next week with the Chiefs (Twitter link).
Redskins Sign Blake Clingan
The Redskins have inked punter Blake Clingan to a contract, according to agent David Canter (Twitter link). A UCF product, Clingan signed with the Lions a year ago but didn’t earn a spot on the team’s regular-season roster.
While Sav Rocca was Washington’s punter in 2013, the veteran was released by the club earlier this offseason, so there could be an opening for Clingan to win the job for the 2014 season.
Falcons Sign Josh Wilson, Dwight Lowery
2:36pm: The Falcons have officially confirmed the signing of Wilson in a press release, and also announced the signing of safety Dwight Lowery. Lowery, a fourth-round pick in 2008, has spent his six NFL seasons with the Jets and Jaguars, starting 41 total contests.
1:51pm: The Falcons have agreed to sign free agent cornerback Josh Wilson to a one-year contract, reports Chick Hernandez of CSNWashington.com (via Twitter). As we noted earlier today, Wilson had been in Atlanta visiting the Falcons after meeting with the Lions yesterday.
Wilson, 29, has started every game for the Redskins over the last three seasons. Although his Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) wasn’t overly impressive in 2013, Wilson made a number of big plays on defense, forcing a pair of fumbles and recovering three. The former second-round pick also logged two sacks, an interception, and 92 tackles.
In Washington, Wilson was a full-time player, appearing in 982 defensive snaps, but he may not be leaned upon so strongly in Atlanta. The Falcons parted ways with Asante Samuel this offseason, but have a number of other cornerbacks still in the fold, including Desmond Trufant, Robert McClain, Javier Arenas, and Robert Alford.